Category Archives: Temple

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem”

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. King David established it as the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel in c. 1000 BC. He desired to build a temple there for God but God prevented him. David’s son, King Solomon, commissioned the building of the First Temple in the city. It became the dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. Thus, Jerusalem was not only the capital but the primary place of worship in Judaism. The Psalmist wrote:

One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek;

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;

To behold the fair beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.   (Psalm 27:5-6)

Jerusalem is perhaps the most contested piece of real-estate on the earth today. Today it is a holy city to three major religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Jerusalem, we might say is a very religious city. Unfortunately, religion can go astray. This is how Jesus spoke about Jerusalem just before His crucifixion:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”   (Luke 13:31-35)

What is our Jerusalem today? What is our sacred shrine that takes the place of God’s true sanctuary? For some it is a historic building of a historic church. For others it is the church with the tallest steeple in the city. For still others it is the organ or choir. Things that are meant to facilitate our worship can easily become objects of worship. What ever our Jerusalem may be we should know that it is killing the prophet word of God. It is obscuring the true work of the Church because it is entrenched in the past and it glorifying a time or place that probably never that never as holy as people remember. Too often we set our minds on earthly things and not heavenly things. The Apostle Paul wrote:

For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.   (Philippians 3:18-4:1)

The great temple in Jerusalem was impressive. Jesus’ disciples spoke to Jesus about it as they were leaving the temple:

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

“Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”   (Mark 13:1-2)

When Jesus was throwing out the money changers from the temple in Jerusalem he was asked by what authority He did such a thing:

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

But He was speaking of the temple of His body.   (John 2:18-21)

Jesus has become the sanctuary of God:

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.   (Hebrews 9:11-12)

In Christ we also participate in God’s true sanctuary:

For thus says the Highand Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the highand holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.   (Isaiah 57:15)

Are we that sanctuary today? Or are we worshipping false sanctuaries in the name of religion?